Ten years ago, when the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations
(HSE, 1992) were drafted, the majority of computer interaction occurred with text driven
interfaces, using a keyboard. It is not surprising then that the guidance accompanying
the DSE Regulations included virtually no mention of the computer mouse or other
non-keyboard input devices (NKID).
In the intervening period, graphical user interfaces, incorporating ‘windows, icons and
pull down menus’ (WIMPS), with a heavy reliance on pointing devices such as the
mouse, have transformed user computer interaction. Accompanying this, however,
have been increasing anecdotal reports of musculoskeletal health problems affecting
NKID users.
While the performance aspects of NKID (e.g. accuracy and speed) have been the
subject of detailed research, the possible implications for user health have received
comparatively little attention. The research presented in this report was commissioned
by the Health and Safety Executive to improve understanding of the nature and extent
of NKID health problems. This investigation, together with another project examining
mobile computing (Heasman et. al., 2000), was intended to contribute to a planned
review and updating of the DSE Regulations and accompanying guidance
